A Terminal Project ,Presented To The Graduate
Council Of The University Of Florida In Partial
Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Degree Of
Master Of Arts In Architecture

University Of Florida
1977

INTENTSS

INTRODUCTION 1

HISTORY

SITE 8

CITY WALL 5 4.

SLIDES 64

BUILDING PROGRAM 69

DESIGN 83

ZONING 94

MASTER PLAN 107

INTRODUCTION

A visit to St. Agustine in 1971 was the start of an unending
fascination with the city that can be identified as the beginning of
this project. The friendly human scale of the early city created by
the scale and compactness of its architectural forms and street plan
give it a quality that one immediately wants to become a part of. It
is hoped that through continued studies and experiences in St. Agustine
an understanding of the fine qualities of the city will be gained
that will be reflected in all future work.
The survey of Historic Zone 1 in St. Agustine by Peter Dessauer
and myself in 1975 further introduced me to the area. This survey
enabled me to locate the information sources and helpful knowledgable
people necessary to begin the work on this project.
A visit to the office of Bob Stienbeck of the Historic St.
Agustine Preservation Board brought the need for the Orientation
Center to my attention. The Orientation Center is a part of the San
Agustin Antiguo Master Plan which is included in this report. The
building program is based on the information in the Master Plan,
talks with Bob Stienbeck, a survey of existing exhibits in St.
Agustine, and research on the basic building functions.
The site of the orientation center was selected by the St.
Agustine Preservation Board. Because many changes were required to
create the site it was first necessary to study the early street
plan and relocate Tolomato Lane seventy feet to the south and turn
Spanish Street to the northwest at the new junction. It was then
necessary to find out what the City Wall and San Domingo Redoubt

would look like so the design of the Orientation Center would relate
to these major elements.
What follows is a collection of information pertinent to the
design of the San Agustin Antiguo Orientation Center.

HISTORY

The story of the founding of St. Augustine
cannot be told without including the story of
colonization of the southeast section of the
United States. Known today as the nation's
oldest continuously occupied city, St.
Augustine's history is firmly interwoven with the
fates and fancies of many nations and people,
The discoverer of Florida was Don Juan Ponce
de Leon, a former governor of Puerto Rico.
Ponce de Leon sighted the eastern coast of
Florida on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1513
while on a trip in search of gold and silver. Ponce
claimed the land for Spain and named it La
Florida.

In the following half century, the government
of Spain launched no less than six expeditions
attempting to settle Florida but all failed. In 1564
the French succeeded in establishing a fort and
colony near the mouth of the St. Johns River
and in doing so, threatened Spain's treasure
fleets which sailed along Florida's shorelines. As
a result of this incursion into Florida King Philip II
named Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Spain's
most experienced admiral, governor of Florida,
and instructed Menendez to explore and to
colonize the territory. King Philip also instructed
him to drive out any corsairs or settlers of other
nations if they should be found in Florida.
On September 8, 1565, with banners flying,
trumpets sounding, artillery booming and 600
voyagers cheering, Menendez set foot on the
shores of St. Augustine. In honor of the Saint
whose feast day it was when Menendez first
sighted shore, he named the town St.
Augustine.
Menendez quickly set to work following the
instructions of King Philip. With brilliant military
maneuvers and a tremendous amount of good
fortune, Menendez did away with the French
garrisons. Following these successes he set to
work establishing a permanent colony, as well as
establishing Indian missions for the church and
perimeter fortifications for the town.
Forty-two years before the English colonized
Jamestown and fifty-five years before the
Pilgrims landed .at Plymout Rock, St.

Augustine was founded and she remains to this
day the oldest permanent European settlement
in the continental United States.
Maintaining St. Augustine as a permanent
colony and military base, however, was a mighty
task. Without the courage, perseverance, and
tenacity of the early pioneers, it is very doubtful
that the community would have survived.
Sir Francis Drake. the English corsair, pillaged
and burned the town in 1586, and then in 1668
another pirate, Captain John Davis and his
English buccaneers, plundered the homes and
left 60 persons dead in the streets. Clashes
between the Spaniards and the British became
more frequent when the English colonies were
established in Georgia and the Carolinas.
The year 1672 saw work begun on the stone
fortress now called Castillo de San Marcos. The
fort was nearly completed in 1696 but not
officially dedicated until 1756. Attesting to the
strength of the Fort, in 1792 Governor James
Moore of Carolina led a two-month siege without
success and in 1740 an even stronger attack by
British General James Oglethorpe of Georgia
was beaten off.
Iln 1763, the stroke of a pen accomplished what
pitched battles had failed to do. Spain gave
Florida to Great Britain in exchange for newly
conquered Havana and St. Augustine came
under British rule for the first time. England ruled
over the city and territory for 20 years which
inchided the period of the American Revolution.
The citizens of the city remained loyal to the
crown throughout the span. In 1783, under the
terms of a treaty signed by England, France and
Spain, East Florida and St. Augustine returned
to the rule of Spain, which lasted for 37 years.
In this period of the world's history, many
changes were taking place in Europe and as a
result, 255 years after Menendez set foot on the
shores of St. Augustine, Spain sold Florida to
the United States of America. At a colorful
military ceremony on July 10, 1821. troops of
the United States took possession of the territory
and the Spanish soldiers departed, never to
return again.
The new regime found the town in a pathetic
condition, devoid of progress and with great

apathy among its citizens. Much of this had been
created in the closing years of the second
Spanish period due primarily to the general
poverty of the area. Many of the buildings were
run-down, some almost in ruins. After the
American occupation speculators arrived in the
city to take advantage of the situation. A yellow
fever epidemic in 1821, however, carried off
many of these newcomers. Despite the condition
of the city it was said to have possessed a mellow
charm with the scent of orange blossoms in the
air, the narrow streets with latticed gates that led
into cool courtyards, and a lack of industry or
commerce to disturb the serenity of the scene.
Although St. Augustine of the early 1800's was
difficult to reach, many distinguished visitors
such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, noted poet and
philosopher, as well as Prince Napoleon Achille
Murat, son of the King of Naples and nephew of
the great Napoleon, made the arduous journey.
The Seminole war of 1836 called a halt to this
new awakening temporarily, as the Indians
made a desperate attempt to regain control of
Florida from the Americans. In 1837, two
prominent Seminole leaders, Osceola and
Coacoochee, with a number of warriors were
captured just south of St. Augustine where they
had come under a white flag for a parley with the
Americans. All were imprisoned in the Castillo
from which Coacoochee and 20 of his
companions managed to escape. Osceola
however was transferred to Fort Moultrie at
Charleston, S.C., where he died. Remnants of
the Seminole Indians continued battling
American forces until most of them were either
killed or had surrendered for transfer to
reservations in the West-
The end of the Seminole war made Florida safe
once again for visitors, who among other
reasons came to take advantage of the fine
climate. In 1845 Florida became the twenty-
seventh state of the Union with Tallahassee
selected as the state capital. This was a
compromise between St. Augustine and
Pensacola, both of which were difficult to reach
from most parts of the state.
St. Augustine continued to prosper until it was
interrupted by another conflict, the Civil War.
Slaves in this area had played a minor role in thy

economy as compared with the rest of the state
and there was considerable Union sentiment in
the city due to the number of northern-born
Residents. Florida, however, seceded from the
Union and according to letters of the time, "It
was announced here by the firing of cannon and
'musketry, and much shooting. A large flag made
by the ladies wve~d on the square. By order of
the Governor of the state;the fort, barracks and
federal property were taken possession of.
Cannons are mounted on the ramparts of the
fort to defend it if any attempt should be made to
retake it." The temporary joy of the inhabitants
was soon replaced with sadness. Many of the
young men from the city served in the
Confederate armies while the majority of the
northern-born citizens returned north for the
duration of the war. In March of 1862 a Union
blockading squadron appeared off the inlet and
demanded the city's surrender. During the night,
the small Confederate garrison withdrew and the
next morning the city was occupied by Union
forces who remained until the end of the conflict.
At the conclusion of the War, in 1865, St.
Augustine was three centuries old. The effects of
the war and the privation it had caused took
some time to wear off, but the winter visitors
began their return almost immediately. Facilities
were bad to say the least, so work was begun on
improving the travel arrangements and
accommodations. In 1883 the Jacksonville, St.
Augustine and Halifax River railway was
completed giving the city a link with its neighbor
to the north, Jacksonville.
During the winter of 1883-84 Henry M.
Flagler, one of the co-founders of the Standard
Oil Company, visited the city and was impressed
with the charm and possibilities of the area. As a
result of his interest, the magnificent Ponce de
Leon Hotel was built, as were the Alcazar and
Cordova Hotels. With the opening of these three
the wealthy and fashionable flocked to St.
Augustine, soon to become known as the
"Southern Newport." Flagler purchased the
surrounding railroads at the same time as he
started his hotels, marking the beginning of the
Florida East Coast railroad. Eventually he
extended the FEC down the east coast of
Florida, first creating Palm Beach and then

Miami in 1896.
The progress engendered by men such as
Flagler also took its toll. The old and storied
inevitably gave way to the then new and
modern. Many old houses and the remaining
sections of the defense lines were uprooted to
make way for new buildings. In those days these
changes were hailed as a great improvement.
Construction wasn't the only enemy St.
Augustine had, however; fire did its share of
damage. In 1887 flames swept the Cathedral
and much of the block north of the plaza.*In
1914, a disastrous fire wiped out many of the
buildings in the older section of the city between
the city gates and the plaza.
St. Augustine, weathering the storms of World
War I and II, has undergone a rebirth with the
quaint Spanish charm being re-instilled through
:he dedication of its citizens. Major areas of the
city have undergone facelifting to return it to the
appearance of the first Spanish period. As a
result of this, St. Augustine has again beibome a
major point of interest for tourists. Now,
however, instead of just a winter playground, St.
Augustine. rich with the heritage of the past, has
become an important center for visitors all year
long.

The proposed site for the San Agustin Antiguo Orientat-
ion Center is located on the two blocks, presently known as
blocks 11 and 11A, directly inside the City Gate to the sou-
thwest. This site was chosen by the Historic St. Agustine
Preservation Board and is a part of the Master Plan.
For the site to accommodate the proposal it was necces-
sary to make changes in the street plan. These included the
closing of a section of Orange Street, moving Tolomato Lane
seventy feet to the south, and rerouting Spanish to the north-
west. can be seen on the site plan and are explained here
with a study of the early maps.
All of the buildings on the site accept the Old School
are to be removed. As many as six reconstructed buildings
are being considered for the site but evidence of their ap-
pearance is lacking. For this reason it is recommended that
archeological work be closely coordinated with preparation
of the site for construction. The information needed from
the archeologists includes evidence of the appearance and
location of all of all early buildings, roads, the City
Wall, and all lesser features of the site that would aid in
the interpretive presentation of the area. It is this evid-
ence that the reconstructions on the site will be based on.
It is further recommended that excavations be conducted with
the thought that a significant excavation area will be
preserved to demonstrate the excavation process to the visitor.

wnddntl/ NIcf~ comRPkId atthallf Suit~q....

OLDEST WOODEN SCHOOL HOUSE
BUILT BEFORE THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
SEE THE OLD-TFAHIOND K/TCHn,. SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN
BUILD/HG. WITH THE OLD COOKING UTENSILS IN USE BEFORE
THE REWVOLTIONAIRY WAR. STROLL THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL
OLD GARDEN. OMCE THE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND. WITH ITS
OLD-FASHIONED FLOWERS AND TREES --SIT AT THE WISHING
WELL WITH ITS OLD-T/ME WELL SWEEP. TAIE BACK WITH
YOU A MEMORY, TO TREASURE IN YOUR HART OF THIS
OLD GARDEN WITH ITS UNTOLD WEALTH OF ANCIENT LORE
WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE INTERIOR OF THE OLD
SCHOOL HOUSE. INS/DE YOU W/LL SEE THE OLD CLASSROOM,
WITH LIFE-SIZEDFIGURES OF THE TEACHER AND PUPILS
RARE OLD SCHOOL BOOKS. OLD-FASHIONED SLATES AND
ISLATE PENCILS AND OLD MAPS. UPSTAIRS IS SHOWN
THE LIVING OUARTERS OF THE OLD SCNOOL-MASTER.
MANY ITEMS OF OLD FURNWITURE, FIREARMS. TC.,

m ~"Built of Cedarni

di
sti3 C

tmas t-llis

iigl~ as1

I z

Indicators of what the archeologist is to look for can
be found in the following maps and writings about the area
of the proposed San Agustin Antiguo Orientation Center. The
following sequence traces the evolution of the site with
some of the most significant early maps. This information
is is from the files of the Historic St. Augustine Preserva-
tion Board.

All of Square $ South # 19
blozk Apnarently G 19 includes all of present btock 11-A and part of
11-A block 11; however, the only structure is on w~hat is now block 11.

Timb~er-frame house, in bad condition, palm thatch roof, ownmed
by Mriguel Villalonga; its lot as well as the adjacent; lot shown
on said block owned by the 3rown.

1790 QUE~tSADAi

All of Square 11 # 93
block (Add 720 rr)
11-A House of Mi~guel Villalonga on K~ing rs lot, bounded: north by the line
of ':Puerta de Tierra,r' ea~rt by F'rancisco Arnau, west byr the cemetery
of Tolomato, south by the street that foes to the cemetery.
65 (E-Ws) X 32 v. a b rr per sq. v.

All of Governor 'hite to Migiuel Villalonga lot 93 Block 11 a little
block house EN 65 varas NJS 32 varas bounded front which is South by
11-A a lane North line of the City Gates East lot of Francisco Arnau
dest Tolomato Street. #93 Biastion

LIST OF APPRASISAL

Block 11 # 93
douse of ;liguel Villalonga on the King's land, bounded at the front
by the lane leading to the Demetery of Tolomato, on the North by
the line of the land, on the East by Francisco Arnau, and on the
.\est by the said Cemoeter~y; its measurement at the front hast/idest,
forty-five yards which at the rate of half a real a yard, and its
increase amounts to ---------------------------------- 1LL ;reates

L~ote
That this day was issued title of possession and ownership in
peroetuity, by the Government, to H-iguel Villalonga of the soove
lot, in virtue of the R2oyal ce'dula of 17th June 1801, remitting
to those in debb for quitrents the payment of capital. and rents
for the houses and lots thley acquired that had been returned to
the IRoyal domain. Saint Aiugustine, M'arch 31, 1803.

5 Blook at Otty Gates
Oliveros made much Bqey from the rose tree as people frequently gave
him from 25 cents t< n,. for the pr)vilege of themselves cutting a blaoc.
He also had an orangerva covering much of the lot. The trees
were seedlings and Yory large described as big as 'oak trees'.
No descendants .tt the rose tree exist that have been traced.
Oliveros was a catal worker Rad a shop on the St. George St. face
of the middle 10% He was known as a locksmith, a copperemith and
a blacksmith. He repaired watches un~s also. Said he learned his
trade in Spain ree an eev h~as
His slavee refused to leave when fedadh aeteNn
a house on the~ Spanish street end of the lot where now is the Under
taking concern on the west side of St. Ueorge.

1793
Census CkLatp et.
Indori
No, 51. Mariana intakidaughter of #hfael and of Ant~onia Casanovas,
widow of 34 years.
M~arcos Andreu son of the said and of her cdeceased husband
of 11 years.
Antonia daughter of the said of 9 yeats.
Rafael her brother of 7 years.
Antonia Purcel, daughter of the. first, husband of th~e
said Mariana of 13 yeats.
1 1 slave, not Baptised.
Pedro Purnelles son of Juanl and of JuanH Huntana of 33
years, bachelor. Associated.
1 Francisco Pons son of Josef and of hraria Capella bachelor,
of 38 years. Associated. 8

Qnanda's List /f2
rear of 1790
Florida
Inventories, assessments, and
sale at public auction of the
houses and lots of the King.

Square No. 5

No. 51 Wooden house of Eu~roos Andrus on King's Realea
lot bounded: N. by house of Antonio "I
Caner 8.bya house of the King, E. by the
Main St. %(-)x1 .@ir e Q 4

max c 1800
Sau:are 5

370. Fodel~ house c\d lot. of it orlc 'In"*(PTC') '" 'ed.

Quesada's List
Year of 1790
Florida
Inventories, assessments, and
sale at public auction of the
houses and lots of the King.

Square No. 5

No. 370 Wooden house writh lot, of Antonio Canter
writh deed.

1783
Spanish Consus
Ph. #125 Sheet 12
RESIDENTS OF THE SETTLIEMENT.

Alexander Mlacquinr Native of Sootland, his will to avail of Span-
ish protection and retire to the British Dominions, he has a wife and
three sons (or children) his profession merchant of dfiy hides, he
has nine hundred acres of land in three divisions on t.Mary's
River, with documaents, eighty miles from this City, he has four
houses on one lot, his property, in this City above the parsonage,
he inhabits one of them, he has twro slaves, (Note) B~e retired with
his efoteat October 20th. Don Thomnas Orr abipped two pieces slaves
pertaining to hia (Mdacquin) that he had left fugitives.

Blook 5

Esorit~urest 12 January 1799
222 Noverber 1800

1800

pc5287 ~omAkoooooo~~~~~~~nowl g at o dowrry be~ Nov. 22e Pedtro Fornells married
-- ghr; 19, 1'P94 to Eariana Tdaorina, gidow of Maroca Andrew
(Bld marrriage) br~ought as dowry & capital, wooden house
n Calle Real, a smEall shop & a slave womnant all valued
at 1000 peses. Fornells promised to pay that sumr to wife
or her four obildrenP (by~ two former mr~riages) in case
their union abatnd be annaulled for any legat rbason.~

Tar: c 1~00
SqluaRe 5
31. WPooden ho se of Marcos Andrews on the KlingL's lot bounded in
font by the aelle M:ayor, NJ by the house of Antonio Cantro,
and S by' the King's house ; its me:asurerment in f-ont N;-S six
yards and a ha~lf, depth fourteen ditto which amounts to (1)9(1)

Note. By the death of t~o arcresaid J'arcos Anldrew the abovae
holEse and. lot (passed ?) to his -:idtow EMaria A2ndorina (?)
children (remained living in it until a daughte- ?) contracted
mariragre with Pedro ...? Dow~ry c-yital on '.he ... N~ovember 1800
... to restore it.
Note April 16, 1803 (?) was issued by this Goveirnm~ent title
TE perpetuity to the aforesaid Pediro "orne(ells) *:h~ich ..
inherit~ by virtcue of th~e codula of 17th .Tar.e 1"01

.Escrituras, 3 February 1803
29 December 1804

1803

91 Sale with Paotb Pedro Fornells to Don Bernardo Segui 2 houses
and retro ane stone one wood both in a lot fronting the
first on Royal St. the second la Playa boundalboth an the
North by the house and lot of the heirs of Antonio Aloantar
South by another of Don Pedro Cooifacio between two on the
front Royal dt, 6) varas on the Miarina 9 varas North and
South on the aide East and West 25 varas the stone house
was built at myg expense another little house of wood from
my wife Mdariana Tuldorina and her children (some account
followse that I cannot translate) 22 Nov. 1800 that of wood
sold to Don M~anuel Veles entered 22 April 1801 in Archives.

Blook 5, Asasesor's Inventory 31, 35

Eacrituras, 9 February 1803
29 December 1804

1803

89v April 16 Governor W~hite to Pedro Fornells lot 21(should be 31)
Block B belonged to h'aria and Andrew house of wood 19th
July 1791 Earriana Tudorina his widow with children m7arried
Fornells. Pront North to South six varas East and West
fourteen bounded on, the front by Calle M-ayior h'orth house
and lot of Antonio Canrtar E~ast another house and lot of
Fornells South another of Don Pedro Cocifacio.

Blook 5, Assessor's Invcntory 31

Escrituras, 3 February 1803
29 December 1804
1803

254v Return sale (Oct. 10P) D. Bernardo Segui to Pedro Fornells by
deed 18 April of'this year house of stone another of wood
on the lot fronting Royal St. the second the beach, both
boudedNorth with lot of Antonio Alcacntar South Donl Pedro
Cocifacio measuring from on Royral St 6h varas on the Bay
(t) varas North to South on the side East to east 25 varas
the whole for 1254 pesos contains reference to a mortgage.

1803
Oct, p_) PedM~roorll to Dc Miguel Croaby priest of Parish
2567SalChurch as described in previous deed above they belonged
to Mariana Tudorina his wife and her four children in
archi~ves 22 Nov. 1800 that of wood from D. tlanuel Veles
by deed 22 April 1801.
Block 5, Asasessor's Inventory 31, 35

Escrituras, 10 January 1805
6 December 1806

1806

235r 9tate Sale July 28 Miguel Crosby-Bryan Connors twro houses on
one lot~ one of atone the other of wood, the first frontingl on
Calle Real, the other on the Beach. Both bounded N by heirs of
Antoni Alcantara, S 'by Pedro Cociiacio. L~ot measures on Calle
Real 6 yds., and on the 4%erina 9 yde. N S; denth E & W. 25 yds.
Bought of Fedro Fernella Oct. 31, 1803.

No. 52 Antonio Canter son of Agustin and' of Prarides.Venen~t of
39 years, absent.
Catalina Coast his wife daughter of Doming-ro and of
Maria Ambros of 30 years.
sgutin son of the said of 17. years, absent.
Uoming~o his brother of li7 years,
~aria sister of 8 years,
'atricio brbther of 7 years
4 slaves 2 of these baptised.
/O

CALLED 50 T TO AN INCH 11 S 1~~iJ BRIOAWAY.NEW YORKX

The evolution of the site can be further traced between June 1888 and
April 1930 with the Sanborn Insurance Maps. The information on these maps
will aid the archeologist in determining the history of the site.

One of St. Augustines most valuable assets is the remaining
original city plan. This original city plan which was recorded
on many early maps, some of whi-ch have been included here, has
remained unchanged in much of the city. However in areas where
it hase changed through time it is desirable to return the streets
to their original location during the restoration process.
The formation of the site of the Orientation Center required
many changes in the street pattern to return it to its early form.
These changes included the closing of a section of Orange Street,
moving Tolomato Lane seventy feet to the south, and rerouting
Spanish Street to the northwest.
To further explain the reason for these changes a study
done by the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board follows:

Analysis of Street Plan and Lot Elements
Between the City Gate and Cuna St.

1. PURPOSE: This study is an attempt to reconcile the discrepancies in the
location of streets, lots and structures which occur between various historical
maps, archaeologically located foundations, existing historic structures, and
the present survey.

2. METHODOLOGY: Comparative. The basic assumption in this study is
that tbe distance from fbe NW corner of block 7 lot 5 (Avero House) and the
SW corner of the east pylon of the City Gate has remained constant (546').
These points were chosen because they could be identified on all maps studied.

3. TECHNIQZUE: Photographic enlargement or reduction of the following
pertinent maps to a common scale.

DeSolis 1764?
Puente 1764
Moncrief 1765
Rocque 1788
Clements 1834

A scale of 1:100 (One inch = one hundred feet) was chosen because
it came closest to matching the scale on the majority of historic maps.

InI the case of the Puente map, the lot dimensions were reconstructed
on a modern base using 33. 372" to the vara as a conversion factor. (Breed
1966:141), since the map accompanying the key is obviously simply a sketch.

Photography was done with a standard 4"x5" view camera on a high
contra st orthographi c film.

4. COMPARISON OF STREET ALIGNMENT AND BLOCK LENGTH.

4. 1 Clements Both street alignment and block length are basically
the same as the present. Some slight discrepancies can be
corrected by referring to the field notes for exact distances.

4. 2 Rocque Street alignment and block length are basically the
same as the present. Some minor discrepancies could have
been caused by errors in drafting, an unstable base, etc.

4. 3 Moncrief

4. 3. 1 The length of blocks 6 and 7 along St. George St. is
approx. the same as the present.

4. 3. 2 Tolomato Lane appears to be approx. 70' south of
its present location at St. George St.

4. 3. 3 Spanish St. is approx. 15' to the east of its present
location where it intersects Cuna Street.

4. 3. 4 Traveling north, Spanish St. angles to the west and
by the time it reaches Tolomato Lane it is approx.
40' to the west of its present location.

4. 3. 5 Spanish St. and Tolomato Lane combine to form one
street angling to the northwest corner of the town.

4. 4 DeSolis

4. 4. 1 Block 6 is approx. the same length.

4. 4.2 Block 7 is approx. 35' longer.

4. 4. 3 Fort Alley is approx. 30' north of its present location
at St. George St.

4.4.4 Tolomato Lane is approx. 55' south of its present
location'at St. George St.

4. 4. 5 Cuna St. is approx. 5' south of its present location
at St. George St.

4. 4. 6 Spanish St. is approx. 18' to the west of its present
location at Cuna St.

4. 4.7 Spanish St. trends to the west as you move north and
is 90' west of the present location at the interse action
of Tolomato Lane.

4. 4. 8 Spanish St. and Tolomato Lane combine to form one
street which angles to the northwest and terminates
behind the San Domingo bastion.

4. 4. 9 Cuna St. between St. George St. and Spanish St. follows
the present alignment fairly well.

4. 4. 10 Cuna St. is approx. 40' south of its present location
at the Cordova St. intersection.

4. 5 Puente

4. 5.1 Reconstruction of property lines in blocks 6, 7,11, and
12 indicate that St. George St., Cuna St., Spanish St.,
and Fort Alley were in approximately the same location
as they are now.

4. 5. 2 Tolomato Lane extended through to the area of Cordova
St. and was approx. 70' south of its present location

5. COMPARISON OF LOT AND STRUCTURE LOCATION.

5.1 Clements A detailed analysis of lot lines was not made due
to lack of time, however it seems that the Clements lines
correspond closely to the present situation. In lots where
lines were preserved by the presence of historic structures,
there is a definite correlation between Clements and the present.

5. 2.2 Some correlation with property lines can be made based
on the fence lines shown on Rocque.

5. 3 Moncrief

5. 3. 1 It is difficult to make direct comparisons between
this map and the present configuration because of
gross errors in the drafting of this map.

5. 3. 2 Judicious shifting will produce alignments that lead
to tentative identification of structures when super-
imposed on the modern base.

5. 4 DeSolis. Above remarks apply to this map also.

5. 5 Puente. There is a very definite relationship between the plotted
property lines of this map and the location of historic structures.
In almost every case, the ar chaeological/archite ctural evidence
is supported by the key to the map both in dimension of the lot
and by the building material. There are, however, several
discrepancies.

5. 5. 1 Puente's lot #75 is approx. 6 varas short of what it
should be. Because of the almost exact match in the
rest of the block, we must assume that this is an
error in recording the N-S dimension of the lot.

5. 5. 2 Puente's key states that #78 is a stone house, however
the archaeology would seem to indicate a tabby one,

6. CONCLUSIONS

6.1 Both DeSolis and Monc~rief show considerable error in the align-
ment of the streets as well as the locations of structures. They
do support the location of Tolomato Lane to the south of its present
lo cation.

6. 2 The Puente key and the Rocque map are the only two reliable
sources and even those should be used with some caution.

6. 3 The Gonzales House is incorrectly identified. It should be the
Florencia House. (#78 on Puente).

The ticket window is presently located
on St. George Street to the south of the
proposed San Agustin Antiguo Orientation
Center site. This service would be relocated
to become a part of the new Center.

AGUSTI
jTIGUO

1-~-~a

11~

CITY WALL

Because the Master Plan for San Agustin Antiguo includes a
proposal for the continuation of the City Wall to the West of the
City Gate and the reconstruction of the San Domingo Redoubt it
was necessary to define these major elements before designing the
Orientation Center. Research produced insufficient evidence to
gain the understanding of the form necessary to relate to it in
a design concept. This led to the gathering of what information
was available and based on this a conjectural model was produced.
A collection of information used follows:

The BUILDING PROGRAM for SAN AGUSTIN ANTIGU0 ORIENTATION CENTER
is a product of the combination of the Historic St. Agustine Master
Plan, talks with Bob Stienbeck, a survey of existing exhibits in St.
Agustine, and research on the basic building functions.
The starting point and most important information comes from
the Historic St. Agustine Master Plan. The Orientation section follows:

Cluster One Orientation

Recognizing that the quality of the visit-or's total experience will depend to

a considerable degree on the orientation he receives prior to entering the balance

of the interpretive area, we believe that a combination of graphics, exhibits, and

audio-visual techniques will be necessary to provide this orientation, with the

basic message conveyed by means of an audio-visual presentation.

The cluster contains a maximum of six reconstructable historic structures, all

of them small and unsuitable for an audio-visual program. They would be suitable,

however, for ticket sales and other orientation functions. WIe propose that the

house located in the northeast corner of the cluster be used as an entry and ticket-

sales area and that the two structures immediately to the southwest contain graphic

orientation exhibits. These two buildings will also function as holding areas dur-

ing periods when the visitor load might exceed the capacity of the theater building,

which will be the focal point of the cluster. The theater will stand to the west

of the aforementioned structures and will be concealed behind masonry garden walls

so as not to intrude visually upon the historic scene. It will be divided into

three sections: a lobby-exhibition area, a pair of small theaters designed to pro-

vide easy entry and exit, and a third area immediately behind the theaters devoted

will house various free-choice exhibits reflecting a variety of themes. While all

visitors will see the basic audio-visual program, each visitor will then avail him-

self of the optional exhibits according to his time and interest.

In respect to the design of the theater, wie have concluded that two small

automated theaters, each seating sixty people and showing a ten-minute program,

provide the best arrangement for our pur-poses. This conclusion is based on the

following considerations:

1. Since we can expect seasonal, daily, and even hourly variations in

visitor load, two theaters will provide greater flexibility in ad-

justing to these variations. During times of low visitation, only

one theater might be needed. The second could be brought into ser-

vice to accommodate heavier loads.

2. Since we will often be addressing special audiences, such as educa-

tional groups, we could use one theater to show programs suited to

their needs while continuiing to serve the general public with the

other.

3. Space being a factor, the theaters cannot be too large.

4. The theaters will serve as a valve regulating the flow of visitor

traffic into the area. Two theaters showing staggered programs and

discharging smaller groups at brief intervals will provide a more

even flow than a single theater releasing larger groups at longer

intervals.

S. Since group visitation through both commercial and educational tour

services can be expected to increase, the theaters must be large

enough to accommodate a busload of visitors. The proposed seating

capacity of sixty would accommodate the average busload of forty to

fifty, leaving ten to twenty seats -to handle casual visitors.

6. Automation of theaters will save staff positions.

7. It is widely recognized in the museum profession that the optimum

length for an audio-visual presentation, based on the attention spa~

of the audience, is ten minutes. Given a five-minute recycle time,

each theater could run four ten-minute shows per hour. The two to-

gether could run eight shows per hour, one every seven and a half

minutes, thus reducing waiting time to a minimum.

8. Based on the information given above, each theater will have an houi

capacity of 240. For a six-hour period, the capacity of the two

n

rly

theaters will be 2,880, well above th~e estimated interpretive capacity

of the area (see Section VII below). The orientation center should

therefore be able to handle our projected visitation.

We recommend that the theater building contain rest room facilities and a

small sales desk for dispensing film, postcards, and similar items.

This information was discussed with Bob Stienbeck and his infor-
mation was combined with research on the building type to formulate the
following FUNCTIONAL DIAGR~AM OF PROPOSED AREAS FOR SAN AGUSTIN ANTIGUO
ORIENTATION CENTER,and BUILDING" PROGRAM.

-ME(ANICAL

EXIT

ENTER

AREA NO. DESCRIPTION AREA REQUIRED

SAN AGUSTIN ANTIGU0 ORIENTATION CENTER

ST. AGUSTINE, FLORIDA

BUILDING PRO0GRAM OUTLINE

LOBBY

General: To provide for functions
which will introduce visitors to the
orientation center, aid them in selecting
areas of interest, and provide necessary
service facilities.

Lobby

Function: Control of entrance area
for all visitors.

Equipment: Information desk and sp-
ace for introduction exhibits.

Finish: Materials which relate to
the character of San Agustin Antiguo.

Note: Sales counter and information
desk should be combined to be operated by
one person.

I-C Orientation

Function: Provide general informat-
ion about the building, exhibits, programs,
and to explain the center's purpose and
facilities.

Equipment: Furnishings for presenta-
tion of orientation displays in two and
three dimensional form.

Finish: In harmony with related
facilities.

Relationship: Direct I.

I-D Public service 340

Function: To provide restrooms for
persons visiting the center that are imm-
ediately visible and convenient upon entry.

Equipment: As required by volume
of visitor flow and building code.

AREA NO. DESCRIPTION AREA REQUIRED

Finish: Durable and easily maintained.

Relationship: Direct I-A; Indirect
all areas.

II. GENERAL EXHIBITION AREA THEATER WAITING

General: To provide the visitor a
complete general overview of San Agustin
Antiguo. Every visitor will experience
this area but may choose not to visit
the more specific optional exhibits.
This area will also serve as a holding
area for the theaters.

II-A Exhibition Area 2000

Function: To provide a variety of
exhibit experiences within one space
allowing for great flexibility in the
arrangement and types of exhibits to be
presented. Because the area is to pro-
vide a sequence of exhibits leading to a
theater presentation diminishing lighting
levels should be provided.

Function: To provide an area to
gather groups of sixty people for entrance
to either theater. The space should provide
an exhibit relating to the movie to hold
the visitors interest during the waiting
period.

Equipment: Display case and some-
thing to control flow.

Finish: Sound absorbing surfaces to
prevent disturbance to the theaters.

Relationship: Direct II-A, III.

III. THEATERS

General: Two small automated
theaters, each seating sixty people and
alternately showing a ten-minute program
every fifteen minutes.

III-A Two Theaters 2000

Function: A pair of theaters each
seating sixty persons, designed to prov-
ide easy entry and exit, for presenting
ten-minute audio visual presentations
with a five-minute recycle time. The

Function: This area is to follow the
theater experience and be an alternative
to direct exit from the complex. This will
provide a smooth flow into the historic
district eliminating the full theater surge.

Finish: Suitable for a variety of
display types.

Relationship: Direct III-A, exit;
Indirect I.

V. REFRZESHM~nENT 120

General: To provide areas for visi-
tors to relax and refresh. For many the
orientation center will be the first stop
after a very long drive.